National Assessment of Shoreline Change Mapping

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The Project

ASSESSMENT OF NATIONAL SHORELINE CHANGE

  • Coastline of India is 7500 km long; of which mainland coast extends to 5500 km and 2000 km of island territory
  • The coast is subjected to multiple coastal processes and anthropogenic pressures, making it vulnerable to erosion
  • The loss (erosion) and gain (accretion) of coastal land is a visible result of the way shorelines are reshaped in the face of these dynamic conditions
  • Appropriate use of remote sensing technology coupled with limited Digital Geo-Positioning System (DGPS) surveys was integrated in GIS platform to obtain historical shoreline information
  • Rate of shoreline changes and the Erosion/ Accretion zones were calculated using Digital shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) a model compatible in GIS by U.S Geological Survey
  • Nearly 7% of Indian coast experiences high erosion (<-5 meter/ year) and 7.6% of the coast has seawalls, embankments etc. as coastal protection measure
  • A few stretches along the coast of West Bengal, Puducherry and Kerala, are highly eroding
  • Government of India is currently demarcating the hazard line to protect coastal communities
  • Erosion is also a major issue in Lakshadweep Islands
  • It is advisable to implement any anti erosion strategy into a broader perspective
  • Drawing up site-specific shoreline management plan and Integrated Coastal Zone Management plan, are essential for effective shoreline protection
  • Promote soft protection measures i.e. restoration/ conservation of protective ecosystems such as beach nourishment and dune rehabilitation and planting bio-shields
Keywords

Erosion

Accretion

DSAS

Shoreline Management Plan

Restoration

Conservation

National Assessment of Shoreline Change Mapping

Aim

The aim of this assessment is to create a primary database of long-term shoreline movement and to periodically update shoreline positions to record erosion and accretion for India’s coastline

Objectives

  • Determine areas of the coast where significant erosion is occurring

  • Identify areas where erosion presented a serious problem, due to shoreline intrusion that required action to protect the coastal infrastructure

  • Quantify the rates of erosion/ accretion along the nation’s coastline

  • Create a national database for coastal erosion and accretion with 1972 as the base year

  • Develop a national record of shoreline positions

  • Contribute to an understanding and prediction of future shoreline changes

  • Provide State and local authorities with information for action to prevent further erosion

Outcome

  • Nearly 7% of Indian coast experiences high erosion (<-5 meter/ year) and 7.6% of the coast has seawalls, embankments etc. as coastal protection measure
  • A few stretches along the coast of West Bengal, Puducherry and Kerala, are highly eroding
  • Erosion is also a major issue in Lakshadweep Islands
  • It is advisable to implement any anti erosion strategy into a broader perspective
  • Drawing up site-specific shoreline management plan and Integrated Coastal Zone Management plan, are essential for effective shoreline protection
  • Promote soft protection measures i.e. restoration/ conservation of protective ecosystems such as beaches / coastal wetlands
  • Include options such as beach nourishment and dune rehabilitation and planting bio-shields

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